Two brides at their backyard tented wedding at home in New Jersey. — PHOTO BY QUYN DUONG

Choosing the right wedding venue is a pivotal step in your wedding planning journey, and as wedding planners we spend hours supporting our clients in the decision-making process. The venue sets the stage for the entire experience, influencing everything from decor to logistics. Are you imagining an intimate ceremony under a clear blue sky, or do you envision a grand celebration in a fully-customized ballroom? Let’s get into the nuances of outdoor and indoor weddings to help you decide which aligns best with your style and aesthetic.

Embracing the Outdoors

Nature as the Perfect Backdrop

Outdoor weddings are naturally breathtaking. Picture exchanging vows with a panoramic ocean view or beneath a canopy of ancient trees. Nature offers an unparalleled backdrop that can enhance the beauty of your wedding without needing extravagant decor. We’ve produced weddings in locales that served as unbelievable backdrops, like in Los Angeles overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains.

Room to Roam

Outdoor venues often offer expansive spaces that allow for flexibility in layout and spatial design. Whether you're imagining a large gathering for hundreds or an intimate affair for only a few, open-air venues can adapt to your needs, from unique ceremony setups to creative reception seating arrangements. Whether you envision long banquet tables or cozy lounge areas, the possibilities are nearly endless when you’re not confined by four walls.

Navigating Weather Uncertainties

The unpredictability of weather is a consideration for outdoor weddings. While sunshine and gentle breezes create idyllic settings, it's wise to have contingency plans for unexpected rain or extreme temperatures. We always create an in-depth inclement weather plan for our clients’ weddings – whether it requires a move indoors or a tent build – and follow forecasts closely to guide what’s often referred to as “the weather call.” Guests may never know that they’re experiencing “Plan B.”

Budget Considerations

Outdoor weddings may seem to be budget-friendly, but in reality they often involve building infrastructure from the ground up. We guide our clients through the consideration of additional expenses such as tenting, restrooms, lighting, landscaping, and more. The impact to the budget often depends on the remoteness of the location: hosting on the private beach of a resort in Los Cabos requires less logistical spend than hosting in the fields of the American West.

The Allure of Indoor Venues

Comfort and Control

Indoor weddings provide a level of predictability and comfort that can be incredibly reassuring. Climate-controlled environments ensure that you and your guests enjoy the day in comfort, regardless of the season. We’ve worked with many clients whose weddings were only possible because of cozy indoor spaces, like our couple who chose a West Village townhouse in New York City for their January celebration.

Designing Your Dream

The allure of indoor venues lies in the opportunity for complete transformation. With a blank canvas, we can design a fully-immersive environment that reflects your personal style. An indoor space opens up even more opportunities to be creative with fabric draping, lighting, floral installations, hanging artwork, and beyond.

Practical Considerations

Indoor venues often come equipped with built-in amenities that streamline the logistical planning (and save you money). These are often things that we look for on clients’ behalf, like catering kitchens, multiple restrooms, storage space, and green rooms for talent (such as a reception band). Another unexpected perk of celebrating indoors: many venues have excellent acoustics for music and speeches.

Indoor Venue Costs

While some indoor venues may seem pricier due to the amenities and services offered, the benefits are recognizable: you are stepping into an existing space rather than creating one. Not spending on logistical line items that an outdoor wedding might require means an opportunity to re-allocate those funds to something that excites you. An espresso martini bar, perhaps?

Romantic floral centerpiece and modern table number on a round wedding reception table in NYC. — PHOTO BY JUSTIN JUN LEE

Making Your Decision

Reflecting on Preferences

Your wedding should be a joyful reflection of you and your partner’s style and personality. Do you spend lots of time outdoors together? Can you imagine yourself in a natural setting? Or are you more indoorsy? Do you feel drawn to beautiful architecture, or even the predictability of an enclosed space? We often counsel our couples on this choice, and always recommend reflecting on their personal preferences and where they feel most comfortable.

Enhancing the Guest Experience

The comfort and overall experience of your guests is paramount. Consider accessibility, especially for elderly guests or those with mobility challenges, as indoor venues often provide easier access. Alternatively, outdoor weddings offer a relaxed vibe that many guests appreciate, and accommodations for those who need them are often possible with careful consideration and thoughtful planning.

Seasonal and Location Influences

Consider how the season and geographical location can impact your venue choice. A summer wedding in a hot and humid climate might favor an indoor setting, like a sophisticated hotel in Miami Beach. On the other hand, an autumn ceremony amidst the changing leaves would be incredible in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Choosing with Confidence

Balancing the Pros and Cons

Each option brings advantages and challenges. Consider your personal preferences alongside the experience you want to create for your guests (and have for yourselves). Visiting venues and visualizing your day in each setting can provide clarity and insight, and is our favorite venue-decision-making strategy.

Professional Guidance

Take advantage of the expertise an experienced wedding planner provides. We draw from our years of producing weddings indoors and outdoors, in all seasons, and thoughtfully guide you in making informed decisions, offer creative solutions, and support you in creating a wedding that aligns with your vision.

Ultimately, whether you choose an outdoor or indoor wedding (or a combination of the two!), the most important aspect is that it feels authentic to you as a couple. Both options offer unique opportunities to create a day that is memorable, beautiful, and reflective of your love story.

Outdoor vs. Indoor Weddings: Which Is Right for You?